If you didn't get the DAT score you were hoping for, you're probably asking yourself:
- Should I retake the DAT?
- How many times can I take it?
- Will multiple attempts hurt my chances of getting into dental school?
These are some of the most important questions pre-dental students face — and the answers directly impact your application strategy.
This guide explains how many times you can take the DAT, how dental schools evaluate multiple attempts, and when a retake actually makes sense.
How Many Times Can You Take the DAT?
The American Dental Association (ADA) allows students to take the DAT up to three times within any 12-month period. After three attempts, you must wait until the 12-month window resets before testing again.
There is also a mandatory 60-day waiting period between each attempt. You cannot retake the DAT immediately after receiving your score — you must wait at least two months before your next sitting.
Key rules to remember:
- Maximum 3 attempts per 12-month period
- Minimum 60-day wait between attempts
- All scores are reported to dental schools — you cannot hide previous attempts
- Most schools can see your full testing history
This is commonly referred to as the DAT retake policy, and every pre-dental student should understand it before scheduling another exam.
Do Dental Schools See All Your DAT Scores?
Yes — dental schools receive your complete DAT score history, not just your best score. This is an important distinction. You cannot selectively send only your highest score.
However, how schools use that history varies:
- Some schools use your highest score only
- Some use your most recent score
- Some average all attempts
- Some review all scores holistically alongside your application
Always check each school's specific policy before deciding to retake. Many schools are transparent about this on their admissions pages.
This is why your DAT retake strategy matters — schools are evaluating your full testing history, not just one score.
Does Retaking the DAT Look Bad?
Retaking the DAT once or twice is generally not viewed negatively — especially if your score improves. Admissions committees understand that students sometimes need more than one attempt, and a meaningful score increase demonstrates persistence and preparation.
What can raise concerns:
- Three or more attempts with no improvement — this signals a preparation problem, not a testing problem
- A score that decreases on a retake — this can hurt your application more than the original score
- Retaking without changing your study approach — doing the same thing and expecting different results rarely works
A DAT retake only helps if your score improves. Without improvement, it can raise concerns about your preparation strategy.
When Should You Retake the DAT?
Consider retaking the DAT if:
- Your score is below the competitive range for your target schools (below 420 on the new 200–600 scale)
- You experienced unusual circumstances on test day — illness, technical issues, extreme anxiety
- You know you underperformed relative to your practice test scores
- You have identified specific weak sections and have a plan to address them
Do not retake the DAT if:
- Your score is already competitive (440+ on the new scale) and the rest of your application is strong
- You don't have time to prepare properly before your application deadline
- You haven't changed your study approach since your last attempt
Should You Retake the DAT More Than Once?
Retaking the DAT once is common. Retaking it twice can still be acceptable if your score improves.
However, taking the DAT three or more times without a clear upward trend can hurt your application.
Dental schools want to see:
- Improvement
- Stronger academic readiness
- A clear change in preparation strategy
If those are missing, additional attempts may do more harm than good.
How to Improve Your DAT Score Before a Retake
Students often ask which DAT study materials are actually used in real courses. The DAT Destroyer and Math Destroyer are the core books used in Dr. Jim Romano's DAT preparation classes, both online and in person.
The most important step before a DAT retake is changing your approach.
Here's what actually works:
- Identify weak sections using your score report
- Focus on understanding concepts, not memorization
- Give yourself 3–6 months for real improvement
- Use challenging, concept-driven practice materials like the DAT Destroyer
- Consider working with an instructor — Dr. Jim Romano's DAT and OAT preparation courses are designed specifically to help students improve before reapplying
Learn how to structure your preparation here:
DAT Destroyer 3-Month Study Schedule 2026: A Proven Plan for DAT Preparation
➡️ Start here for free
https://orgoman.com/pages/start-your-dat-preparation-for-free-official-resources-from-dr-jim-romano
What DAT Score Do You Need to Avoid a Retake?
On the new 200–600 scoring scale introduced in 2025, here's how scores break down:
- Below 400 — below average; most schools will not consider
- 400–419 — average; acceptable at some schools
- 420–439 — competitive; meets most dental school minimums
- 440–459 — strong; competitive at top programs including UCLA, NYU, and Tufts
- 460+ — excellent; competitive at the most selective programs
Learn more about DAT scores and percentiles here:
DAT Score Percentiles: How to Interpret Your Score and Improve Your Chances
Resources to Help You Improve Your DAT Score
- DAT Destroyer — the most rigorous DAT prep book available, built on concept mastery
- Math Destroyer — master the quantitative reasoning section
- General Chemistry Destroyer — deep preparation for one of the hardest DAT sections
- Dr. Jim Romano's Biology Review — comprehensive biology coverage
- DAT and OAT Classes — in-person and online with Dr. Jim Romano, creator of the Destroyer series since 2006
Join the DAT and OAT Destroyer Study Group on Facebook — a supportive community of pre-dental students sharing strategies, resources, and encouragement.
Dr. Jim Romano, creator of the DAT Destroyer and founder of Orgoman, has been teaching DAT preparation for over 35 years and has helped thousands of students improve their scores.